Get Your Softball Questions Answered!
Have a softball sports question that you cannot seem to find the answer to? Ask here! Softball is a complicated game, and there are no stupid questions. I think back to when I was just getting started and I had loads of questions. Fortunately, I also had some very knowledgeable people to ask the questions to. And that is how we all get smarter!
When responding to softball sports rules questions, we will base our response on ASA rules. Note that the rules in your specific league may vary. ASA is generally followed by most travel, high school and college leagues. Variability will occur in the recreation leagues to accommodate the age of the players and ability to handle certain aspects of the game. In the final analysis, the best place to get answers to the rules you are playing under is to speak with the league director. Also, prior to any game, the coaches’ meeting with the umpires is a good time to get clarification on ground rules and aspects of the game that may vary, like substitution policies and player designations.
The point of Fastpitch Softball Coaching is to help fellow coaches and their players to have a thorough understanding of the game of fastpitch softball resulting in elevating their play. If you see a question you think you can help answer, please contribute. Remember those who helped you as you began your coaching career and help those who may not be as far along.
If you scan the area right below the question entry area, you will find a number of questions asked to date. They cover everything from hitting, pitching, and fielding drills, to game situations and rules based discussions to questions around bats, gloves and other equipment. Ask and we will answer your question. If we don’t know, we will reach out to a network of softball coaches and other experts to try and get you the right answer. And don’t forget, sometimes there is no right answer. The right answer may sometimes be what works for your particular player. So ask your questions and, please, do join in on the discussion!
Have A Question about Fastpitch Softball?
Get them answered here. In addition to us supplying an answer, other coaches who come to Fastpitch Softball Coaching will also lend their expertise.
What Other Visitors Have Said
Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
Catcher Calling Time to Prevent the Steal 
Can a catcher call time after a walk? Since the stealing 2nd rule is in play, can she call time and walk out to the pitcher and runner has to stay on …
3rd Baseman
Should 3rd baseman follow the runner down the line or remain at her base when they are trying to steal home?
Third out on appeal, does run count?
Runners on second and third-one out. Fly ball to left, the ball is caught. Both runners tag and advance. The runner on second left early: we appeal and …
What happens to batter
What happens to the batter if a player is caught stealing for the 3rd out of an inning? Does the batter lead off the next inning?
Stealing
How many bases can you steal in ASA 12u girls softball?
hitting a rise ball
Should you stand back in the box on a rise ball or do you move up and try to hit it before it rises
Softball mom
My daughter is learning to slap bunt and only had a few lessons- her teacher is having her step back with her left foot rather than over. Is there more …
Coach Schubarth
I have been looking for a straight answer on icing pitcher and catchers arms along with catchers knees. Is it a good thing or a bad thing? I've seen answers …
Grandma Fan
Can an ump change his call..........This is how it played out Runner on first leads off, batter hits, caught by second base, they throw to 1st, the runner …
bobbysox manager
In-field fly rule: When the batter is called out but the fielder actually dropped the ball, do the base runners have to tag up or can they continue running …
Qualifing Tourney
How can I make my tourney a asa qualifier
Umpire Call
What happens when their are no out and there is no one on base and you hit the ball and run to first but the first base man catches it hold it for like …
Asst. Softball Coach
Does anyone do award stickers for helmets in their fastpitch high school teams. If so, what are some ideas for what different awards other teams use.
You make the call
2 outs, runner at third. Ball gets away from the catcher but she regains control of it and is interfered with by the batter ,as she attempts to tag the …
Pitcher vs. Clueless Coach
I have a dilemma and need advice. My daughter is 14. She has been playing softball-and loving it-since she could walk. She decided at the age of 10 that …
Ice Pitcher's Arm
At a recent Pitching Lesson, Abby's coach recommended Shoulder and Elbow Ice for 20mins after an hour of pitching. I can't disagree with the idea! What …
Pitching or Hitting POWER DRIVE
Has any one used one? If so Pros and Cons!
Thank You
Paul
Fielding Mechanics
Which is the better way to field ground balls in infield? Moving glove out to ball or pulling ball to chest? For balls that have stopped moving in the …
umpire
can r1 take second if pitcher places ball between her knees to fix her hair? on a 3rd strike the ball hits the catcher's knee guard and is kicked by …
Over throw rule
Runner1 on 1st fly hit to right center runner 3/4 way to 2nd when ball drops in runner1 rounds 2nd when center fielder releases throw runner then returns …
Riddle Me This: Metal Cleats or Rubber Cleats
My daughter is in 12u. She is a pitcher. What should I be looking for in a cleat?
Thank You
Paul J. Muelrath
Legal/Illegal Composite Bats
I picked up an Easton bat over the summer for my daughter. I was very excited about seeing her hit with a composite bat. I see them used everywhere. She …
Pitching Mat
There are a number of pitching mats online. I am having no luck finding on in a retail store. What should I look for in a portable pitching mat? Are there …
in the batters box
Why do coaches tell girlswomendo not move their front foot when there is a inside or outside pitch,Girls in college hit foul balls when they don't …
What is the call?
Full count rt hand batter, 10u, ball is pitched and obvious ball high and on rt side of home plate. Batter steps across home plate as the ball passes and …
Assitant Coach and father to a fastpitch softball pitcher.
My daughter who has been pitching for 5 years now is pretty good. What I'm trying to find is a good outline/plan for working out to build her core strength, …
Defensive time outs
How many defensive timeouts per inning may be had without penalty to the pitcher?
Pitching Motion
In fast pitch softball, is the pitcher required to start their pitch with both feet on the pitching rubber and not allowed to step back towards second …
softball fast pitcher
my daughter was under a coach that tried to make her have speed before she could throw strikes. What can I do to bring her back to her throwing in …
coach
a batted ball, line drive, strikes the pitcher and then bounces between short and third and hits a baserunner advancing from second to third. What …
UMPIRE
PASSED BALL GETS CAUGHT IN NET ON BACK STOP RUNNERS ON BASE WHAT IS RULING
Difference between a strike and a ball.
My daughter plays 12 and under fastpitch. She has problems knowing if the pitch is a ball or a strike soon enough to either swing or lay off the pitch. …
infielders and outfielders
When you switch out outfielders after the first inning do you switch out the infielders too?
batting
If you hit the ball to the outfield and you were told to run and look second base but then you run to second is that a double.
catching helmet
Daughter high school catcher sustained concussion from foul ball into mask. need to replace helmet. What is the opinion regarding best helmet out …
Coach Ro
I am coaching a T Ball team, ages 4 1/2 - 5 yrs. I have previously been told that infielders' ready position is with the tip of the glove down, specifically …
cutoffs and relays
Who is the cutoff person for a relay from the outfield?
COACH BYRON
NINE PLAYERS ONE GET INJURED. COULD I PLAY WITH EIGHT PLAYERS?
earned runs
If a player gets on base and scores on an error is that an unearned run?
getting into softball
i know this has nothing to do with fastpitch but i am a freshemen in high school and im trying to get into softball but i have no skills in softball …
Does run count?
Runners on 1st and 3rd, one out. Batter hits fly out to left. Runner on third tags and scores. Runner on first thinks there are two outs and heads …
What is a drag bunt?
what is drag bunt?
batter is out
when is a batter out? is she out when she bunts a ball and drops the bat into fair territory,and the ball hits the bat in fair territory?
Catchers thumb
My daughter is 16 and catches for a very good pitchers. She is having problems with her catching thumb. She is using a thumb guard now. We have had …
Middle school coach
I have a roster of 16-18 girls this year. What are the basic substitution rules? ARe there a minimum number of at bats or outs they must play? If …
Coach Billy
What size soft ball do 12u use?
Summer travel coach and dad
My daughter is a sophomore in high school and a good player but she has a problem when hitting with what some call "happy feet". She will get set …
Throwing.
Everyone throws differently, and just like every other player, I throw up over my shoulder like I was taught. Well, my dad is the one who taught me …
QUESTION: Handling a Runner on Third & Walked Batter
10U I'M ON DEFENSE AND THERE IS A RUNNER ON THIRD AND WE JUST WALKED A RUNNER. THE WALKED RUNNER DOES NOT STOP AT FIRST BASE THE COACH SENDS HER TO SECOND. …
pitching gloves
Is the new black muzno alright to use in high school pitching?
Everything
I need to know EVERYTHING there is to know about softball. The Positions, How many fouls and outs you can get, What happens if it goes out of the field, …
softball mom
What are the requirements to play A fastpitch? My daughter's only downfall is her running speed. She is eleven yrs old will she be able to advance …
Catcher's equipment
Is softball and baseball catcher's gear alike?
good coaching
Hi, my name is Jerika Shelton and i was wondering if you could help me and my team with coaching. our coaches do nothing but bring us down and then …
Hitting Problems
Hitting problems?? my daughter has very good bat speed hardly ever gets fooled on pitches nevers swings and misses but cannot make solid contact on …
Metal Cleats in ASA Softball
Please clarify the rules pertaining to metal cleats in ASA girls\youth fastpitch softball as of September 2011
thank you
What is the standard positions for third base?
Where do tell your third baseman to set up to play third base on any play?
Not Ready To Hang up the Cleats
I played softball ever since I can remember. I was lucky enough to get to play college softball for 4 years on a very good team. Well I have just graduated …
bunts
Where do the infielders cover on a bunt?
covering second
Who covers second on a steal from 1st to 2nd. ......shortstop or second baseman?
Fielder's Mask
Are 1st & 3rd base required to wear a fielders mask? ASA ruling?
Both a Pitcher & Outfielder
My daughter (12 years old) was told by her coach (summer league) that she is a great oufielder because she can catch a fly ball & cover a lot of area. …
Asst. Coach
I help coach a 10u travel team. It is my daughter's first year. The head coach had told all of the parents that he was going to bring in another player …
Headcoach
A pitcher makes a very loud noise, that she tries to make come off as a grunt. She makes this noise well after the pitch is delivered, when the batter …
Rotational vs Linear Batting
My daughter has been a rotational hitter all her life. She is 16 now. On her JV High School team she batted .417. I switched her to a new travel team …
scoring substitutions
how do i record subs in scorebook?
parent
hi I was just wondering about the call on a game when its raining and the pitcher cant grip the ball can the coaches dry the ball for their pitcher,keep …
Postioning of Player
We are in our first year of girls stealing bases and playing dropped third strike. The first game saw a total of 4 hit yet 35 runs were scored. Girl …
Is this a strike?
10U girls fastpitch softball game, batter has two strikes, ball hits her hand and goes to the backstop. I assume it is a foul ball as hands are part …
concerned mom
My daughter's softball coach (Bantam age 15) insists on her catching behind a batter while using a pitching machine. She's been hit in the head three …
tara
My daughter is a pitcher. Can she have a towel on the field to wipe her hands on or wipe the ball off in case it's wet (from the rain)? If so does …
How to defend stealing?
Girls softball 11-13 age group.
Situation: Runner on third, no outs, girl at plate gets ball 4 and the ball is thrown back to the pitcher in the circle. …
FOUL BALL
CAN A RUNNER TAG UP ON FLY FOUL BALL?
Leading off base..
When is the base runner to leave base on an attempted stolen base?? Pitcher begins rotation of a pitch or when ball leaves pitchers hand?
new coach
When should I have my 3rd basemen play in? Have seen alot of teams play their 3rd basemen all the time with shortstop playing in too. Seems to me leave …
bobleach@suddenlink.net
Why does the base ump station himself/herself behind the SS with runners on base and still think that he/she can call a close play at 1st base correctly??? …
Fast-Pitch
How do you put force into your pitch to make the softball fast?
2 on 1 out
2 ladies on 1 out.A pop to left field.a catch.lady at 3rd tags and scores.lady at 2nd doesnt tag.shes caught almost on third base.Ball is thrown to …
softball
When you play softball its not about winning all the time is it? I was told that its not about winning its about "team sportsmanship".
Positions Substitutions
Can you switch out defensive positions any time of the game? Not subs, but people already playing in positions.
Getting the out
When there's a girl at 1st and 3rd with one out and it's hit to 2nd base where would I throw to get the out as a 2nd base player?
Parent
How many players are on a fastpitch softball team, 9 or 10?
Coach 7 year old team
How to line up players on the field?
Runner for Catcher
What are your thoughts about always putting in a runner for your catcher or pitcher? My daughter is a 12U catcher, and last year, she rarely got the …
Pitching
I'm a fast pitch softball pitcher. I'm 11, and really good. What are some things I can do in the winter for drills? I'm trying to practice winding …
Coach Kaje
When the 1st baseman is right handed and playing even or up with the bag, how do they get to the bag? Do they spin around or drop step to base? Are …
Need Help
I live in Palos Heights. My daughter is 10. Recreation department ball has no challenge. I'm looking for a team who is looking for a good player. …
Infield Footwork-To spin glove side or not to spin gloveside?
There is great debate here on infield footwork. To spin glove side or not to spin gloveside.
Working the round the horn drill, home to 1st to 2nd …
What is the right play?
What is the correct action in the outfield?? A line drive to right field, no outs, should right fielder if possible make a play at first or throw …
Grandpa 
Lefty Granddaughter throws hard, 42-43 mph, age 11. Needs control work. I say control first then speed, Most everyone else says speed first.
Coach Billy Not rated yet
What size soft ball do 12u use?
Student Not rated yet
1.When two outs are made on one play it is called a(n _______
2.The ball must bounce on the ________ and be at least _____ feet high to be a strike …
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